Boehner’s big hire could signal immigration deal

[mota bhai 2,675]

House Speaker John Boehner has hired a high-profile immigration adviser, his office announced Tuesday.

...

Becky Tallent ... is a well-known figure among immigration advocates, having helped spearhead Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain’s efforts to pass comprehensive immigration reform under President George W. Bush. This year, she took a prominent role in the debate as director of immigration policy for the Bipartisan Policy Center, where she organized a team of pro-immigration Republicans and Democrats ... in an effort to craft a workable policy proposal.

...

Mark Krikorian of the hardline Center for Immigration Studies derided Tallent as “McCain’s amnesty captain” on Twitter and warned Boehner was signalling his intention to push for reform.

...

Tallent is highly regarded among pro-reform Democratic aides ... House leaders have promised action on immigration for the better part of a year, but they have yet to produce even a general set of policy principles for reform, let alone a detailed plan.

...

Ana Navarro, a GOP consultant and former aide to McCain who has advocated for reform, said in an email that Boehner “could not have made a better hire,” adding that his decision was encouraging.

“You don’t hire Becky Tallent if what you want is someone to twiddle her thumbs and just buy you time,” she said. “You hire Becky to help craft solutions and turn them into law.”

http://www.msnbc.com/hardball/boehners-immigration-surprise

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Good. Looks as if Boehner actually wants to log an accomplishment as speaker. Thus far, he's come up empty.